For Immediate Release

June 14, 2001

IURC SPLITS 219 AREA CODE

Today the Indiana
Utility Regulatory Commission approved an order, which will divide the 219 area
code.

In Order No. 41535,
the IURC split the Northern region of Indiana into three separate areas.

By a vote of 3 to 1
the Commissioners agree that trisecting the area will most effectively protect
customers from the expense and inconvenience from the implementation of new
area codes and make sure that all carriers have the numbering resources they
need to compete in the marketplace.This solution is also the least disruptive in the long term, providing
relief from congestion for the longest period of time, which is projected to be
at least 20-years.

Numerous public
hearings and educational meetings were held throughout northern Indiana in the
last year as the Commission determined the best way to reallocate numbers.In those meetings it was clear that most
residents and business interests recognized the need for area code relief, but
all wished to continue using the existing 219 area code.

Guidelines call for
the Commissioners to consider rate center distribution, unique demographics,
population density, access lines, wireless codes assigned, and the relative
size of the area when deciding how the numbers for the new plan areas will be
allocated.Due to the similarity of the
new regions there will be a drawing to determine which area will keep the 219
area code

The Area designated
“A” includes such cities as:Gary, East
Chicago, Michigan City, Valparaiso, and Rensselaer.

The Area designated
“B” includes such cities as:South
Bend, Elkhart, Winamac Logansport and Monticello.

The Area designated
“C” includes such cities as:Lagrange,
Fort Wayne, North Manchester, Silver Lake, Wabash, Warren and Portland.

At this time the
Commission does not know what numbers will be assigned as the area codes for
the newly drawn districts.The North
American Number Plan Administrator will assign those numbers after this order
is issued.

Growth of new
homes, business and technology is behind the number crunch.The Commission opened an investigation to
determine the best way to make new numbers available in the 219 area code in
September of 1999, after it was made aware of the need for area code relief.

A rationing
procedure has been in place since June 1999, and earlier this year the
Commission ordered a number recovery in the 219 area code.

Telephone providers
will have 180 days to educate customers and implement the changes.There will be 6-months of permissive
dialing.